Chris Matthews Is Out

No, not that; he’s out of the 2010 Pennsylvania Senate race. After a year of speculation that Mr. Tingles would challenge Senator Arlen Specter in 2010, the Whiffleball host decided to forgo a Senate run in order to remain with MSNBC.

Matthews’ decision is probably for the best. A Senate run would have forced Matthews to either challenge Specter from the right in a Republican primary or run as a Democrat seeking to strengthen Obama’s position on Capitol Hill, thereby revealing his ideological leanings for the world to see. This way, Matthews can remain at MSNBC, comfortable in knowing that his reputation as an objective journalist remains intact. Now, Hardball’s 25 viewers can continuing watching the highly respected Matthews without knowing where his agenda lies.